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Labour isn't working - Thread 24

1000 replies

TheNuthatch · 22/12/2025 07:42

A chat thread for those who don't like this Labour government. 💙* *

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.

Previous thread.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5454130-labour-isnt-working-thread-23?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

Labour isn't working - Thread 23 | Mumsnet

A chat thread for those who *don't* like this Labour government. 💙 ^The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's mone...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5454130-labour-isnt-working-thread-23

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68
Hyperobject · 09/01/2026 05:14

And here’s some of the top comments.

Shouldn't this something that was done BEFORE before putting forward a tax change, instead of after? Student union napkin "estimates" vs reality. 🤦‍♂️ Anyway, this is probably just yet another half-baked "u-turn", not really helping people and causing more damages to small businesses, while the big ones just pass the costs on to p̶e̶o̶p̶l̶e̶ w̶i̶t̶h̶ m̶o̶r̶e̶ m̶o̶n̶e̶y̶ i̶n̶ t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ p̶o̶c̶k̶e̶t̶s̶ people struggling from cost of living crisis (now back to the #1 issue according to YouGov). Meanwhile, Rachel's £1300bn spending problem remains unchecked..

Best she also U-turn on removal of the two child benefit cap. As following all the u-turns on the revenue increasing options, there is no room left for additional welfare expenditure!

This government is utterly hopeless. It announces a policy, and when people don't like it they change it. No conviction, no strategy and no joined up thinking. Absolutely ridiculous way to run a country. How can anyone plan when government policy that gets announced rarely gets implemented.

And my particular favourite…

This latest policy reversal whilst welcome indicates that not only is Rachel Reeves unfit for high office (any high office), it makes clear that she has no intellect, no judgement, no calculus facility, no useful political or economic instincts and no worthwhile administrative / decision making capabilities. It is comprehensively clear that Rachel Reeves cannot work independently and without close supervision. She is a high energy, low ability, high office holder. In plain Olde English - she is a "busy fool". Her 15 weeks long campaign to frighten the living daylights out of British households and British businesses, which began with one egregious announcement per week in August, to two or three pre budget egregious announcements per day in November, is itself a sacking offence. No Chancellor in the 800 years of this government post, has behaved as recklessly as Rachel Reeves did, pre budget day. This ludicrous briefing campaign (her attempt to crowd source her own budget) had real world damaging impacts, which skewed investment, spending and recruitment decisions, in almost every single household and business in the U.K. The result was recessionary conditions in the lead up to Christmas, which retail and hospitality businesses, small and large, especially depend on. This behaviour represented grossly irresponsible misconduct in high office. Rachel - "For Gods sakes go and go now".

justasking111 · 09/01/2026 06:44

Talking to a restaurant owner relative over the counter the cost of wholesale ingredients are out of control. Meat, dairy, vegetables, etc. go up in price between orders. The wholesalers can pay 20% more for meat one week than the previous one.

I was perusing a menu at lunchtime yesterday. One dish I fancied momentarily was £28.95 for a main. We're heading for £30 at our local pub in town which you used to book well in advance if you needed a table. Nowadays it's a walk in establishment.

justasking111 · 09/01/2026 06:45

Anyone seen the Christmas figures yet for stores. Apparently some of them are out now.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

DenizenOfAisleOfShame · 09/01/2026 06:59

Hyperobject · 09/01/2026 05:14

And here’s some of the top comments.

Shouldn't this something that was done BEFORE before putting forward a tax change, instead of after? Student union napkin "estimates" vs reality. 🤦‍♂️ Anyway, this is probably just yet another half-baked "u-turn", not really helping people and causing more damages to small businesses, while the big ones just pass the costs on to p̶e̶o̶p̶l̶e̶ w̶i̶t̶h̶ m̶o̶r̶e̶ m̶o̶n̶e̶y̶ i̶n̶ t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ p̶o̶c̶k̶e̶t̶s̶ people struggling from cost of living crisis (now back to the #1 issue according to YouGov). Meanwhile, Rachel's £1300bn spending problem remains unchecked..

Best she also U-turn on removal of the two child benefit cap. As following all the u-turns on the revenue increasing options, there is no room left for additional welfare expenditure!

This government is utterly hopeless. It announces a policy, and when people don't like it they change it. No conviction, no strategy and no joined up thinking. Absolutely ridiculous way to run a country. How can anyone plan when government policy that gets announced rarely gets implemented.

And my particular favourite…

This latest policy reversal whilst welcome indicates that not only is Rachel Reeves unfit for high office (any high office), it makes clear that she has no intellect, no judgement, no calculus facility, no useful political or economic instincts and no worthwhile administrative / decision making capabilities. It is comprehensively clear that Rachel Reeves cannot work independently and without close supervision. She is a high energy, low ability, high office holder. In plain Olde English - she is a "busy fool". Her 15 weeks long campaign to frighten the living daylights out of British households and British businesses, which began with one egregious announcement per week in August, to two or three pre budget egregious announcements per day in November, is itself a sacking offence. No Chancellor in the 800 years of this government post, has behaved as recklessly as Rachel Reeves did, pre budget day. This ludicrous briefing campaign (her attempt to crowd source her own budget) had real world damaging impacts, which skewed investment, spending and recruitment decisions, in almost every single household and business in the U.K. The result was recessionary conditions in the lead up to Christmas, which retail and hospitality businesses, small and large, especially depend on. This behaviour represented grossly irresponsible misconduct in high office. Rachel - "For Gods sakes go and go now".

Many thanks for this and the FT article.

The second comment is particularly astute and well expressed. Reeves is a “busy fool” - spot on.

justasking111 · 09/01/2026 07:06

DenizenOfAisleOfShame · 09/01/2026 06:59

Many thanks for this and the FT article.

The second comment is particularly astute and well expressed. Reeves is a “busy fool” - spot on.

She'd be sacked in the real world.

EasternStandard · 09/01/2026 07:45

Just listening to the radio. They might drop pub business rates increase but everyone else won’t take that.

A well known hairdresser won’t cut Labour MPs hair. So maybe those MPs want a pint but they won’t be able to get a hair cut and other stuff.

Hyperobject · 09/01/2026 07:51

EasternStandard · 09/01/2026 07:45

Just listening to the radio. They might drop pub business rates increase but everyone else won’t take that.

A well known hairdresser won’t cut Labour MPs hair. So maybe those MPs want a pint but they won’t be able to get a hair cut and other stuff.

The hair stylist who does Reeves’s hair should meanwhile consider a career change….

Miaow!

CruCru · 09/01/2026 08:40

They won’t U turn over the two child benefits cap. It’s easy (and fun) to spend money, uncomfortable to cut spending.

LupaMoonhowl · 09/01/2026 08:42

redange · 08/01/2026 20:05

Here, is an interesting Poll from NEU The National Education Union which explains their extremely Militant Positions

Delta Poll 12-15 December 2025
Green 37% +25%
Labour 29% - 40%
LibDem 11% +1%
Reform 10% +6%
Cons 6% +2%
Your/Par 5%

I think this explains how 'Left Wing' the Teaching Profession is in general over 71% of members openly supporting Left of Centre/ Far Left and 'Fruit and Nut'. I know the NEU is the most militant of all Teaching Unions, but such Poll Numbers are 'diabolical' and frightening. This, because we have huge numbers of Teachers who are not 'aligned' to mainstream and the Average Joe's beliefs . Thus, children are indoctrinated with political ideologies views that most be 'extreme' in nature.

Yes -I recently left teaching and the blinkers are just terrifying. There was a mock election in school and interestingly the children voted Reform /the school suppressed the result and just told 6th form tutors if they asked- -normally result is in whole school assembly and on Twitter and the winning candidate congratulated…

ProfessorIDareSay · 09/01/2026 09:22

justasking111 · 09/01/2026 06:45

Anyone seen the Christmas figures yet for stores. Apparently some of them are out now.

M&S seem to have done OK, especially on food and their Ocado tie-up, but clothes sales particularly were affected by the internet hack obviously.

"Food sales were strong and the business continues to outperform, hitting a new market share milestone in the period. We are the UK's fastest growing grocer for families, reflecting our investment in value and core family staples, and demonstrating progress in our journey to become a shopping list retailer.
Fashion, Home & Beauty is getting back on track as we work through the tail end of recovery. Sales overall were slightly down but online performance continued to improve as digital sales recovered. We planned a bigger Sale this year, with strong sell-through already making way for our new season lines. "

Associated British Foods (Primark) not so good.
"Overall, Primark's sales growth in the period was below our previous expectations and we now expect Primark's sales growth in the first half of 2026 to be in the low single digits. In a difficult trading environment, we significantly increased markdowns to manage inventory levels effectively, which impacted profitability."

M&S shares up 10% from their year low on that report, ABF shares significantly down, 15%, to a year low.

I have shares in both so follow them closely. I would say it’s a mixed picture overall in retail, with many companies yet to report on their Christmas trading.

EasternStandard · 09/01/2026 09:27

CruCru · 09/01/2026 08:40

They won’t U turn over the two child benefits cap. It’s easy (and fun) to spend money, uncomfortable to cut spending.

That’s Labour, the back benchers and the party mechanism. It’s why pubs and businesses will protest and they are being strained (Labour that is).

boys3 · 09/01/2026 09:30

@Hyperobject thanks for the 05:11 post.

whilst this u-turn is welcome as you reference there is still the much wider hospitality sector that’s under the cosh. Talking head in news this morning making point that 6/7 hospitality jobs are not in pubs.

it is a mess. And that’s an understatement.

Whilst I’m not 100% convinced that failing to think through the direct and indirect consequences of policy is wholly unique to the current government, they seem to have completely abandoned any pretence of thinking anything through in advance.

DenizenOfAisleOfShame · 09/01/2026 09:42

boys3 · 09/01/2026 09:30

@Hyperobject thanks for the 05:11 post.

whilst this u-turn is welcome as you reference there is still the much wider hospitality sector that’s under the cosh. Talking head in news this morning making point that 6/7 hospitality jobs are not in pubs.

it is a mess. And that’s an understatement.

Whilst I’m not 100% convinced that failing to think through the direct and indirect consequences of policy is wholly unique to the current government, they seem to have completely abandoned any pretence of thinking anything through in advance.

I doubt it’s got anything much to do with prior thought. The government’s craven in the face of the Labour backbenches. There’s no willingness to stand firm.

Starmer is a very weak man whose vanity won’t allow him to confront his own party. He’s terrified of being seen within the Labour Party as an unpopular and derided leader.

DancingFerret · 09/01/2026 10:09

DenizenOfAisleOfShame · 09/01/2026 09:42

I doubt it’s got anything much to do with prior thought. The government’s craven in the face of the Labour backbenches. There’s no willingness to stand firm.

Starmer is a very weak man whose vanity won’t allow him to confront his own party. He’s terrified of being seen within the Labour Party as an unpopular and derided leader.

...but seemingly quite happy to be seen by most of the British public as an unpopular and derided leader - and increasingly, the foil for Badenoch's comedic performances at PMQs.

DenizenOfAisleOfShame · 09/01/2026 10:28

DancingFerret · 09/01/2026 10:09

...but seemingly quite happy to be seen by most of the British public as an unpopular and derided leader - and increasingly, the foil for Badenoch's comedic performances at PMQs.

He can’t do anything about the view of him in the wider country. For that he’s just praying for some unforeseeable political good luck.

But he can manage his image in his own party. By giving in when delegations of backbenchers come knocking.

You can see all this in the ham-fisted way his team tried to nobble Streeting: Starmer is absolutely desperate not to be ignominiously chucked out by his party before the next GE. So challengers have to be attacked.

He’s obscenely self-important and conceited, even by the standards of senior politicians.

CruCru · 09/01/2026 13:56

LupaMoonhowl · 09/01/2026 08:42

Yes -I recently left teaching and the blinkers are just terrifying. There was a mock election in school and interestingly the children voted Reform /the school suppressed the result and just told 6th form tutors if they asked- -normally result is in whole school assembly and on Twitter and the winning candidate congratulated…

Edited

I was last at school 30 years ago but it drove me crackers whenever teachers would start talking about their own personal politics (or, if I’m honest, their private lives). I can bet that it hasn’t changed all that much.

redange · 09/01/2026 14:25

The Negative Propaganda in the Media about Reform and how it has peaked clearly wrong and wishful thinking from the mainstream media !

Find Out Now 7- 8 January 2026/ +/- 31 December 2025
Reform 32% +1%
Cons 18% +1%
Green 17% =
Labour 15% =
Libdem 12%=

Others 6% 100%
Reform: 386 Seats
Cons : 34 Seats
Green : 66 Seats
Lib/De : 75 Seats
Labour: 11 Seats
SNP : 48 Seats
Plaid : 7 Seats
Ind : 5 Seats
Nor Ire: 18 Seats - '10' Sinn Fein and 1 Speaker seat
Total of : 639 Seats Active Reform Majority of: 133

Pretty Decisive Polling result for Reform: Right Wing Majority including 'Conservative' 201 Seats !

redange · 09/01/2026 14:26

Others 5% !

redange · 09/01/2026 14:30

Others 6% because Lab, Lib Dem's and Greens rounded down to combined 44% ...

SpaceRaccoon · 09/01/2026 16:03

I'm seeing reports that Starmer wants to ban X.

EasternStandard · 09/01/2026 16:16

SpaceRaccoon · 09/01/2026 16:03

I'm seeing reports that Starmer wants to ban X.

If that’s true he’s lost it. We may as well be Iran or China. Actually worse they probably have more.

justasking111 · 09/01/2026 16:17

SpaceRaccoon · 09/01/2026 16:03

I'm seeing reports that Starmer wants to ban X.

Yes the excuse being it's over AI some website GROK?? where you can undress and dress people in anything you want including children. I've seen Trump as Batman which was funny.

AnnasFangs · 09/01/2026 16:18

Where has this been reported, please @SpaceRaccoon?

justasking111 · 09/01/2026 16:20

Journalists are saying that we wouldn't know about Venezuela, Iran, any protests in the UK that are filmed if it was banned. It's very concerning.

AnnasFangs · 09/01/2026 16:24

justasking111 · 09/01/2026 16:20

Journalists are saying that we wouldn't know about Venezuela, Iran, any protests in the UK that are filmed if it was banned. It's very concerning.

I don't agree with banning X, but it is not the only social media platform. In fact it is probably on its way out as younger people use Tik Tok etc., don't they?

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